Dorset: Crime Scene Guarding Permanently Outsourced

A pilot scheme by Dorset Police to outsource the guarding of major crime scenes is being made permanent, which they say will free up more than 3,000 police hours a year.

Private security firm Securitas Ltd. will continue providing the service, following the four month trial.

The trial, which ran between 1 October 2013 and 31 January 2014, saw the firm called out on 15 occasions - releasing a total of 700 police hours back to front line services.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Cooper, Head of Dorset Police Criminal Justice Department, said: "The trial was considered a success and released police officers back to the front line to perform other essential tasks.

"Following the completion of the scene guarding trial, a review has deduced that the introduction of an outsourced guarding service could release more than 3000 police hours each year.

"Using a private company to fulfil a very small area of business more cost effectively, allows the Force to reinvest policing time into other front line matters."